Gas-flasher apparatus.



J. SPRING.

GAS FLASHER APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED run, 1909.

1,003,538. Paten d Sept.19,1911.

WITNEEEEE-J: E N UR comma! PLANQGRAPM CO..WASHINGTON. D. c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH SPRING, OF CHICAGO; ILLINOIS.

GAS-FLASI-IER APPARATUS.

Application filed February 24, 19-09.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPH SPRING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in GasFlasher Apparatus, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in gas flasher signs and particularly to the means for producing an intermittent action of the valves controlling the outflow of gas to the burners.

Specifically, the improvements which form the subject matter of this application are related to a mechanism which is shown in my co-pending application for patent Serial No. 367,963, and the object of these im provements is to simplify the construction and make more positive the operation and control of the valves which open and close the main gas passageways leading from the supply pipe to the burners.

In the accompanying drawing which forms a part of this application, I have illustrated a preferred adaptation of my invention in the following views Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved appliance which comprises an electric motor and controlling means for two valves connected directly to the motor; Fig. 2 is a top plan view of same with the burners removed, and Fig. 3 is a sectional detail taken through one of the valve chambers showing the valve, main gas conduit, and the bypass conduit.

Referring to the details of the drawing, 4: represents a suitable base on which is mounted a small electric motor 5 of convent-ional form. The main shaft 6 of this motor is extended beyond the motor case and is journaled at one end in a box 11 which is fastened rigidly to the motor frame and is supplied with a worm 8 and with a grease cup 7. A similar bearing and grease-cup is at the other end of the shaft.

9 represents a pinion which is mounted on a shaft 9 journaled in the arms 10 of a bracket 12, which is rigidly secured to the motor case at each side of the shaft 6, and which is also secured by screws 14:, to the valve boxes 13. These boxes, of which there are two shown in the drawing, are exactly alike, each being provided with a valvechamber 15 in which is mounted a valve having a stem 16 and a head 17. This valve is held in its normal or closed position by a Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 19, 1911. Serial No. 479,746.

coiled spring 18 arranged within the Valve chamber 15 and held under tension by the screw plug 19 which is inserted in the open end of the valve chamber 15 as clearly shown in Fig. 3. The pipe 19 communicating with one of the valve-chambers is supplied with a nipple 19 to which may be fitted a section of flexible tubing 27 leading to any suitable source of gas supply.

Communicating [with each valve chamber 15 is a conduit 21 from which extends a nipple, supplied with the nut 22, with which is connected a section of tubing running to a burner 28 having the usual tip 29. The conduit 21 communicates with the bore or conduit in which the valve stem 16 slides, the latter being reduced in diameter so as to permit the flow of gas from the chamber 15 to the conduit 21 when the valve 17 is pushed from its seat. The valve box 18 is also supplied with by-pass conduits 23, 24, which communicate with the conduit 21 and the chamber 15 respectively. The flow of gas from the chamber 15 to the by-pass conduits 23, 24, is controlled by a manually adjustable valve 25.

The valve stems 16 normally project into the path of cams 26 which are adjustably mounted by set screws on the shaft 9 The shaft 9 is rotated by the meshing of the worm gear 8 with the pinion 9.

Current is supplied to the motor from any suitable source, the conductor wires (not shown) being connected respectively, with the binding posts 5 on the base of the motor, from which lead the insulated wires 30 which connect respectively with the armature and brush posts 31.

It will be apparent that the construction described may be adapted to as many burners as desired by multiplying the valve boxes, extending the shaft 9 and providing a cam for each valve. The gas is conducted from one valve chamber to the next adjacent chamber by a horizontal pipe 20.

The relative sizes of the worm gear 6 and pinion 9 are such that the rotation of the shaft 9 will be comparatively slow; hence the cams will be in contact with the valvestems for long periods and thus afford appreciable intervals of time during wh1ch the burners 28 will be in full operation or illumination. It will also be apparent that the burner tips will be constantly in action as pilot lights due to the continual supply of a small quantity of gas through the bypass conduits described, the opening and closing of the valves 17 affecting only the main supply of gas to the burners.

By mounting the valve boxes and valvecontrolling devices directly upon the motor I am enabled to provide a compact construction Which can be placed in a sign of limited dimensions Without taking up appreciable space, Which is a very important point in apparatus of this description.

Having thus described my invention What I claim is 1. In combination with a suitable motor, a shaft driven from said motor by worm and gear connections, a plurality of cams independently adjust-able on said shaft, valve boxes having their valve chambers in communication, a by-pass in each of said boxes, a main supply conduit in each of said boxes, valves controlling said main supply conduits, and adapted to be operated by said cams, and burners communicating with said valve-chambers through said bypasses and main conduits.

2. In comblnatlon W1th a suitable motor having a driven shaft, a Worm arranged 011 sa1d shaft, a pmion meshing with sa1d Worm, ashaft drlven by sa1d p1n1on, cams ad ustably mounted on sa1d pmion shaft,

valve-boxes supported on said motor and having chambers communicating with each other, means for supplying gas to said chambers, aby-pass in each of said boxes, a main supply conduit connecting each valvechamber and a burner, a valve mounted in each of said valve-chambers and normally closing said main supply conduit, said valves adapted to be operated by said cams. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in the presence of two Witnesses.

JOSEPH SPRING. Vitnesses F. BENJAMIN, M. A. MILoRD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, I). C. 

